Mama Shelter Rio de Janeiro is the city's offbeat design hotel, set in the hilltop neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, known for its boutiques, bars and the nearby Selaron Steps. It belongs to the Mama Shelter group, run in collaboration with the French hotel company Accor, and opened in late 2016 as the brand's sixth property. The hotel has 55 rooms across two houses, designed by the French architect Jalil Amor, with white king-size beds, free wifi and a mix of Rio-themed decor, graffiti and playful details, and a set of rooms reserved for artists to collaborate. The hotel lists a restaurant, a bar, a terrace and a garden, and the original opening reports describe a bar with live music, bingo and football screenings in a small amphitheatre setting. Other amenities listed include air conditioning, in-room safes, desks, televisions, a twenty-four-hour front desk, a lift, bike rental, an airport shuttle for a fee, a continental breakfast for a surcharge and a pet-friendly policy for dogs and cats in specific rooms. The hotel is rated 9.0 from about eighty guest reviews. The booking page places it near the Museum of Modern Art and close to Casa de Benjamin Constant and the Museu da Chacara do Ceu, with Copacabana and Ipanema described as nearby.
Choosing a room
Rooms start small, around fifteen square metres in the original reports, so this is a hotel for travellers who spend the day outside and want a fun, social place to return to. Ask for a room away from the bar if you value an early night, and consider the pet-friendly rooms if you travel with a dog or cat, since the policy is limited to one pet per room up to thirty-three pounds, for a weekly fee. Breakfast is a paid extra, so compare it with the cafes in the neighbourhood.
What the stay is like
Sociable, informal and creative, with a strong sense of place. Santa Teresa's lanes, galleries and restaurants are on your doorstep, the Chacara do Ceu museum is close and the historic tram runs through the neighbourhood, though the line is being rebuilt in stages with limited weekday service. The hill setting means steep streets, so use ride-hailing after dark and be ready for stairs. Check-in runs from three in the afternoon until midnight, check-out is before noon, and contactless check-in is available. Airport transfers can be arranged for a fee.
Who it suits
Young couples, friends and solo travellers who prefer character to polish, creative types and visitors planning to explore the arts and nightlife of Santa Teresa and Lapa. It is less suited to travellers who need beach access, a pool or a large lobby, and the hotel is not listed as having a gym or a rooftop. Compare it with the Santa Teresa Hotel RJ MGallery and Vila Santa Teresa on this site, which are quieter and grander; this is the one for people who want to meet other travellers over a drink.
Why stay here
- ✓Design-led rooms in two houses
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Rooms for artist collaborations
- ✓Bike rental
- ✓Pet-friendly rooms (dogs and cats)
- ✓Free wifi and air conditioning
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Where is Mama Shelter Rio de Janeiro?+
In the hilltop neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, according to the opening reports. The hotel lists the Museum of Modern Art, Casa de Benjamin Constant and Museu da Chacara do Ceu among its nearby places.
How big is it?+
The hotel lists 55 rooms, in two houses according to the original opening coverage, with a restaurant, bar, terrace and garden.
Does it accept pets and offer breakfast?+
Dogs and cats are accepted in specific rooms, one per room up to about 33 pounds, for a weekly fee. Continental breakfast is available for a surcharge.
